Representatives of NASW recently attended Dignity & Choices:  A Symposium on End-of-Life Advocacy. Held October 13- 14, 2009, in Washington, D.C., the symposium was organized by Compassion & Choices, a leading organization in the choices-in-dying movement.

The core objective of the symposium was to equip health care professionals with accurate information to address the current health care reform debate, with particular emphasis on the importance of consistent practice methods and messages in end-of-life care.

Workshop highlights included:

• Expert recommendations on advocacy strategies to refute “death panel” claims;
• Clarification on the end-of-life counseling reimbursement proposal in the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R.  3200, sec. 1233, 2009);
• The impact of the health care professionals’ conscience regulations on patients’ end-of-life rights;
• The differences between hospice and palliative care ; and
• The importance of education and training for health care professionals in end-of-life counseling.

Plenary sessions included talks by Jacque D’Amboise, founder of the National Dance Institute and world-renowned ballet dancer; Dr. Elmer Huerta, former president of the American Cancer Society; and Jane Brody, New York Times columnist.

Additional information and professional resources:

NASW’s Specialty Credentials in Hospice and Palliative Care:

http://www.socialworkers.org/credentials/default.asp

NASW’s Standards for Social Work Practice in Palliative and End of Life Care:

http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/bereavement/standards/default.asp

NASW Director’s article ‘Death Panel’ Rhetoric Sets Us Back

http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/news/2009/10/clark.asp

Thursday, October 29, 2009 - Specialty Practice Sections Teleconference

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Credit Hours: 1 CEU(s)

Presenter:

• Paul D’Agostino,ACSW, LCSW

Moderator:

• Bekki Ow-Arhu,MSW, LICS

There is relatively little in the literature discussing any links between child abuse and bullying behavior in children. Yet both are examples of aggressive/violent responses and many believe that these are learned behaviors. This teleconference will explore the possible link between childhood abuse and bullying.

Click here to REGISTER for this teleconference.

NASW Members, click here for information on joining a Specialty Practice Section.

NASW is promoting the Joint Commission’s Annual Behavioral Health Care Conference in November 2009 as an important program for social workers and other professionals committed to the treatment of behavioral health. These seminars address all aspects and dimensions of behavioral health care including community mental health, substance abuse, opioid treatment programs, inpatient crisis stabilization, and children and youth services and programs. NASW CE credits approved.

Annual Behavioral Health Care Conference: Hope in Uncertain Times

November 17-18, 2009, Westin River North Hotel, Chicago, IL [#09071]

Uncertain times provide us with great opportunities to forge lasting improvements in behavioral health care. This conference will shed new light on best practices and help you serve as a catalyst for improving the health and welfare of your clients. The agenda features a roster of respected clinical faculty from the government, the private sector, and national organizations. Count on:

► Current and relevant evidence-based information to take back to your behavioral health care setting and immediately apply.

► A CD-ROM toolkit comprised of proven strategies and useful tools designed to offer solutions and help implement change.

► Collegial resources for continual networking and problem solving.

For more information, or to register for this conference, go to:

http://www.jcrinc.com/Conferences-and-Seminars/Annual-Behavioral-Health-Care-Conference/1523/

or phone Customer Service at 877-223-6866.

Preconference Workshop: Behavioral Health Care Seminar: The Joint Commission 2010 Behavioral Health Care Standards and Survey Process Update

An in-depth workshop straight from the surveyors about accreditation topics you cannot afford to miss, including: challenging standards from 2009, survey process and accreditation changes for 2010, and what to expect in 2010 related to National Patient Safety Goals.

November 16, 2009, Chicago, IL [#09070] (This is a pre-conference to the Behavioral Health Care Conference)

For more information, or to register for this preconference seminar, go to:

http://www.jcrinc.com/Conferences-and-Seminars/Behavioral-Health-Care-Update/1522/

or phone Customer Service at 877-223-6866.